CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1454Introduced by Assembly Member RivasFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 17661 of the Education Code, relating to school facilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1454, as introduced, Rivas. School facilities: heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.Existing law requires a covered school, defined as a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University, and requests the University of California, to ensure that facilities have heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that meet specified minimum ventilation rate requirements, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate, in which case its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. Existing law also requires a covered school, and requests the University of California, to install filtration that achieves specified minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) levels, determined by the school to be feasible with the existing HVAC system, as provided.This bill would require each school district, county office of education, and charter school to submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the State Department of Education, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to the above-described provisions. By imposing new duties on local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 17661 of the Education Code is amended to read:17661. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Covered school means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University.(2) HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. air-conditioning.(3) MERV means minimum efficiency reporting values.(b) (1) A covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that facilities, including, but not limited to, classrooms for students, have HVAC systems that meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate.(2) If a schools existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate required pursuant to paragraph (1), then a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. In addition, the covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, document the HVAC systems inability to meet the current ventilation standards set forth in paragraph (1) in the annual HVAC inspection report required by Section 5142 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which shall be available to the public upon request.(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves MERV levels of 13 or higher to the extent determined to be feasible and appropriate for the existing HVAC system, as determined by the school.(2) If, pursuant to paragraph (1), it is determined that the existing HVAC system is not designed to achieve MERV levels of 13 or higher, a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves the highest MERV level that the school determines is feasible without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system.(d) Each school district, county office of education, and charter school shall submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the department, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to this section.(d)(e) Upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California.(e)(f) This section shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it applicable.SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1454Introduced by Assembly Member RivasFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 17661 of the Education Code, relating to school facilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1454, as introduced, Rivas. School facilities: heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.Existing law requires a covered school, defined as a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University, and requests the University of California, to ensure that facilities have heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that meet specified minimum ventilation rate requirements, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate, in which case its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. Existing law also requires a covered school, and requests the University of California, to install filtration that achieves specified minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) levels, determined by the school to be feasible with the existing HVAC system, as provided.This bill would require each school district, county office of education, and charter school to submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the State Department of Education, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to the above-described provisions. By imposing new duties on local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1454
Introduced by Assembly Member RivasFebruary 21, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Rivas
February 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 17661 of the Education Code, relating to school facilities.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1454, as introduced, Rivas. School facilities: heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.
Existing law requires a covered school, defined as a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University, and requests the University of California, to ensure that facilities have heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that meet specified minimum ventilation rate requirements, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate, in which case its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. Existing law also requires a covered school, and requests the University of California, to install filtration that achieves specified minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) levels, determined by the school to be feasible with the existing HVAC system, as provided.This bill would require each school district, county office of education, and charter school to submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the State Department of Education, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to the above-described provisions. By imposing new duties on local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing law requires a covered school, defined as a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University, and requests the University of California, to ensure that facilities have heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that meet specified minimum ventilation rate requirements, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate, in which case its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. Existing law also requires a covered school, and requests the University of California, to install filtration that achieves specified minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) levels, determined by the school to be feasible with the existing HVAC system, as provided.
This bill would require each school district, county office of education, and charter school to submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the State Department of Education, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to the above-described provisions. By imposing new duties on local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 17661 of the Education Code is amended to read:17661. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Covered school means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University.(2) HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. air-conditioning.(3) MERV means minimum efficiency reporting values.(b) (1) A covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that facilities, including, but not limited to, classrooms for students, have HVAC systems that meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate.(2) If a schools existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate required pursuant to paragraph (1), then a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. In addition, the covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, document the HVAC systems inability to meet the current ventilation standards set forth in paragraph (1) in the annual HVAC inspection report required by Section 5142 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which shall be available to the public upon request.(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves MERV levels of 13 or higher to the extent determined to be feasible and appropriate for the existing HVAC system, as determined by the school.(2) If, pursuant to paragraph (1), it is determined that the existing HVAC system is not designed to achieve MERV levels of 13 or higher, a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves the highest MERV level that the school determines is feasible without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system.(d) Each school district, county office of education, and charter school shall submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the department, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to this section.(d)(e) Upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California.(e)(f) This section shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it applicable.SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 17661 of the Education Code is amended to read:17661. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Covered school means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University.(2) HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. air-conditioning.(3) MERV means minimum efficiency reporting values.(b) (1) A covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that facilities, including, but not limited to, classrooms for students, have HVAC systems that meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate.(2) If a schools existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate required pursuant to paragraph (1), then a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. In addition, the covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, document the HVAC systems inability to meet the current ventilation standards set forth in paragraph (1) in the annual HVAC inspection report required by Section 5142 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which shall be available to the public upon request.(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves MERV levels of 13 or higher to the extent determined to be feasible and appropriate for the existing HVAC system, as determined by the school.(2) If, pursuant to paragraph (1), it is determined that the existing HVAC system is not designed to achieve MERV levels of 13 or higher, a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves the highest MERV level that the school determines is feasible without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system.(d) Each school district, county office of education, and charter school shall submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the department, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to this section.(d)(e) Upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California.(e)(f) This section shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it applicable.
SECTION 1. Section 17661 of the Education Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
17661. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Covered school means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University.(2) HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. air-conditioning.(3) MERV means minimum efficiency reporting values.(b) (1) A covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that facilities, including, but not limited to, classrooms for students, have HVAC systems that meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate.(2) If a schools existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate required pursuant to paragraph (1), then a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. In addition, the covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, document the HVAC systems inability to meet the current ventilation standards set forth in paragraph (1) in the annual HVAC inspection report required by Section 5142 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which shall be available to the public upon request.(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves MERV levels of 13 or higher to the extent determined to be feasible and appropriate for the existing HVAC system, as determined by the school.(2) If, pursuant to paragraph (1), it is determined that the existing HVAC system is not designed to achieve MERV levels of 13 or higher, a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves the highest MERV level that the school determines is feasible without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system.(d) Each school district, county office of education, and charter school shall submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the department, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to this section.(d)(e) Upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California.(e)(f) This section shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it applicable.
17661. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Covered school means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University.(2) HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. air-conditioning.(3) MERV means minimum efficiency reporting values.(b) (1) A covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that facilities, including, but not limited to, classrooms for students, have HVAC systems that meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate.(2) If a schools existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate required pursuant to paragraph (1), then a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. In addition, the covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, document the HVAC systems inability to meet the current ventilation standards set forth in paragraph (1) in the annual HVAC inspection report required by Section 5142 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which shall be available to the public upon request.(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves MERV levels of 13 or higher to the extent determined to be feasible and appropriate for the existing HVAC system, as determined by the school.(2) If, pursuant to paragraph (1), it is determined that the existing HVAC system is not designed to achieve MERV levels of 13 or higher, a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves the highest MERV level that the school determines is feasible without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system.(d) Each school district, county office of education, and charter school shall submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the department, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to this section.(d)(e) Upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California.(e)(f) This section shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it applicable.
17661. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Covered school means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University.(2) HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. air-conditioning.(3) MERV means minimum efficiency reporting values.(b) (1) A covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that facilities, including, but not limited to, classrooms for students, have HVAC systems that meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate.(2) If a schools existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate required pursuant to paragraph (1), then a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. In addition, the covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, document the HVAC systems inability to meet the current ventilation standards set forth in paragraph (1) in the annual HVAC inspection report required by Section 5142 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which shall be available to the public upon request.(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves MERV levels of 13 or higher to the extent determined to be feasible and appropriate for the existing HVAC system, as determined by the school.(2) If, pursuant to paragraph (1), it is determined that the existing HVAC system is not designed to achieve MERV levels of 13 or higher, a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves the highest MERV level that the school determines is feasible without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system.(d) Each school district, county office of education, and charter school shall submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the department, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to this section.(d)(e) Upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California.(e)(f) This section shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it applicable.
17661. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Covered school means a school district, a county office of education, a charter school, a private school, the California Community Colleges, or the California State University.
(2) HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. air-conditioning.
(3) MERV means minimum efficiency reporting values.
(b) (1) A covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that facilities, including, but not limited to, classrooms for students, have HVAC systems that meet the minimum ventilation rate requirements set forth in Table 120.1-A of Part 6 (commencing with Section 100.0) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, unless the existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate.
(2) If a schools existing HVAC system is not capable of safely and efficiently providing the minimum ventilation rate required pursuant to paragraph (1), then a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, ensure that its HVAC system meets the minimum ventilation rates in effect at the time the building permit for installation of that HVAC system was issued. In addition, the covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, document the HVAC systems inability to meet the current ventilation standards set forth in paragraph (1) in the annual HVAC inspection report required by Section 5142 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which shall be available to the public upon request.
(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves MERV levels of 13 or higher to the extent determined to be feasible and appropriate for the existing HVAC system, as determined by the school.
(2) If, pursuant to paragraph (1), it is determined that the existing HVAC system is not designed to achieve MERV levels of 13 or higher, a covered school shall, and the University of California is requested to, install filtration that achieves the highest MERV level that the school determines is feasible without significantly reducing the lifespan or performance of the existing HVAC system.
(d) Each school district, county office of education, and charter school shall submit an annual inventory of their HVAC systems to the department, including a description of any modifications made pursuant to this section.
(d)
(e) Upon the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the California Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory standards for carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms of a covered school and the University of California.
(e)
(f) This section shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it applicable.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
### SEC. 2.